5th Standard Science Term-III
ANIMALS Continue...
II. Endangered Species
An endangered species is an animal or a plant that is at the risk of extinction. It means that they might extinct from the earth soon. It is reported that nearly 132 species of plants and animals are critically endangered in India. Snow leopard, Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, Purple frog and Indian giant squirrel are some of the endangered animals in India. Similarly, plants like Umbrella tree, Glory lily, Rafflesia flower, Indian mallow and Musli plant are endangered.
1. Causes for Endangerment
The following are the reasons why an animal or a plant is endangered or extinct.
➜ Forests which provide food and shelter to animals are destroyed for human needs.
➜ Large number of animals are hunted for their horns, skin, teeth and many other valuable products.
➜ Pollutions like air pollution and water pollution affect the animals.
➜ Sometimes animals are taken to new habitat by people. They cannot survive there.
➜ Pesticides and chemicals which are used to get rid of insects, pests or weeds, poison the plants and animals.
➜ Natural disasters like flood, cyclone and fire also destroy animals.
2. Saving Endangered Species
Nature is beautiful and it is filled with varieties of plants and animals. But they are endangered mainly due to human activities. We need to take some measures to protect them.
➜ Hunting and poaching of animals should be prohibited.
➜ We should not pollute the environment.
➜ Limiting the usage of plastic and recycling it can save the endangered animals.
➜ Pesticides and chemicals which pollute the environment should be avoided.
➜ Planting native trees will provide food to the animals.
➜ We should buy eco friendly products only.
3. Red Data Book
The Red Data Book is a book maintained for recording rare and endangered species of animals and plants. This book is created to identify and protect the species which are about to extinct.
It is maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an international organization working in the field of nature conservation. The Red Data Book contains colour-coded information sheets.
✧ Advantages of Red Data Book
➜ It helps to evaluate the population of a particular species.
➜ The data given in this book can be used at the global level.
➜ This risk of a species becoming globally extinct can be estimated with the help of this book.
➜ It provides the necessary guidelines for implementing protective measures.
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III. Conversation of Animals
Biodiversity is the term used to describe different plants, animals, microorganisms, and insects etc., that are found on the earth. Conservation of biodiversity helps us to protect, maintain and recover the endangered animal and plant species. Conservation of biodiversity is the protection, preservation, management of wildlife and natural resources. Endangered species are maintained in certain protected areas such as national parks and wild life sanctuaries. In India, there are about 73 national parks and 416 wild life sanctuaries.
1. National Parks
A national park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of wild life. In these areas, activities like forestry, grazing or cultivation are not permitted. Even private ownership rights are not allowed in these areas. The national parks cover an area of 100 - 500 square kilometers.
✧ Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National park is located close to Nainital, in Uttarakhand. Tigers are found in this park. Other animals found here include several species of deer, leopards, jackals red foxes, black bear, sloth bear, and monkeys.
✧ Gir Forest National Park
It is located in Gujarat. Asiatic lions in their natural habitat can be seen here. Other animals that are found here include sambar, chinkara, chital, porcupine, wild boar and black buck.
✧ Kaziranga National Park
It is located in Assam. Wild animals such as rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, wild buffalo and swamp deer are seen here. This park also has bears, leopards, and several species of local and migratory birds. This park is famous for one horned rhino.
✧ Sundarban National Park
Located in West Bengal, Sundarban National Park is a tiger and biosphere reserve on the Ganges delta. Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, wild boars, foxes, leopard cats, huge turtles, Ganges river dolphins and several other varieties of mammals and reptiles, along with a huge variety of local and migratory birds can be seen here.
✧ Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park, located in Madhya Pradesh was established as a part of Project Tiger. Apart from tiger, animals such as elephants, jackals, leopards, striped hyenas, monkeys, and several varieties of deer including black buck, swamp deer, chital and sambar are seen here.
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✧ Periyar National Park
Periyar National Park is in Thekkady, Kerala. Various species including the majestic elephants, royal tigers, fishes, reptiles and birds can be seen here.
Name of the Park | District |
Gulf of Mannar National Park | Ramanathapuram |
Indira Gandhi National Park | Coimbatore |
Mudumalai National Park | The Nilgiris |
Mukurthi National Park | The Nilgiris |
✧ Guindy National Park
This park is located at the heart of the Chennai city, the capital of Tamilnadu. It is a home to spotted deer, black bucks, white bucks, river otter, hyena, bonnet monkey, civet cat, jackals, pangolin, hedgehog and common mongoose etc.
2. Wildlife Sanctuaries
A sanctuary is a protected area which is reserved for the conservation of animals. Harvesting of timber, collection of forest products and private ownership rights are allowed here. Tourist visit is also allowed in these places.
✧ Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalakkad wildlife sanctuary is famous for tigers. Lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, langur, Nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, elephant, flying squirrel, panther, wild dog and pangolin are some of the animals found here.
✧ Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
It is located in Ooty. Bengal tiger, giant elephant and leopard are found here. Elephant safari is famous in this sanctuary.
✧ Mundanthurai Wildlfe Sanctuary
It is located in Thirunelveli district. Major wild life animal found here is tiger.
✧ Anaimalai Wildlife Sanctuary
It is also called as Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is situated in Coimbatore district. Dhole, wild dog and giant squirrel are seen here.
Name of the Santuary | District |
Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary | Theni |
Vandalur Wildlife Sanctuary | Chengalpattu |
Kalakkad Wildlife Sanctuary | Thirunelveli |
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary | Virudhunagar |
✧ Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
It is a very old sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Chengalpattu district. It has many migratory birds like spoon bills, open billed storks, pelicans etc.
3. Advantages of Conservation
➜ Species can be adapted to their habitat.
➜ Species can interact with each other.
➜ Natural habitat of the animals is maintained.
➜ It is a less expensive and easy to manage.
IV. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Cruelty to animals includes capturing, trapping, poisoning of any wild animal collectively. There are many animal welfare organizations concerned with the health, safety and psychological wellness of animals. They include animal rescue groups which help animals in distress, and others which help animals suffering from some epidemic. Animal Welfare Board of India and National Institute of Animal Welfare are the government organizations which work for the welfare of animals. There are some private welfare organizations also.
1. Blue Cross
Blue Cross is a registered animal welfare charity in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1897 with the vision that every pet will enjoy a healthy life in a happy home. This charity provides support for pet owners who cannot afford private veterinary treatment, helps to find homes for unwanted animals, and educates the public in the responsibilities of animal ownership.
Blue Cross of India was established at Chennai in the year 1959. Now, Blue Cross of India is one of the largest animal welfare organizations in India. Its main office is located at Guindy, Chennai, with all amenities like hospitals, shelters, ambulance services and animal birth controls etc. Activities of the organization include, providing shelters, adoption, maintaining hospitals and mobile dispensary and providing ambulance services.
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